NSW courts to get makeover

The New South Wales Government has allocated $78 million in its 2011-12 Budget to allow for the expansion and upgrading of the NSW court network. The budget has assigned $40 million towards a

The New South Wales Government has allocated $78 million in its 2011-12 Budget to allow for the expansion and upgrading of the NSW court network.

The budget has assigned $40 million towards a new courthouse in Coffs Harbour, $9 million for the construction of a new courthouse in Armidale and $19 million to upgrade the courts in locations including the Downing Centre in Sydney's CBD, Liverpool, Waverly, Taree and Port Macquarie. The budget also includes $7 million to simplify and accelerate the electronic filing of court documents, the exchange of information between justice agencies and the provision of online court services, as well as $5 million to improve the maintenance of court facilities and technology.

President of the NSW Law Society Stuart Westgarth said he was pleased the 2010-11 Budget aims to provide support to those accessing the justice system as well as those working within the system. He also said he was pleased to see a substantial commitment to upgrading court facilities in the state's regional areas.

"The NSW Government plays a vital role in making sure that the legal community is able to consistently and effectively meet the demands of the public where the delivery of legal services is concerned," he said.

"We're please that the NSW Government has made good on its commitment to expand and upgrade the NSW court network."

Lawyers Weekly is the leading authoritative source of independent news, analysis and opinion about the business of law in Australia. It includes expert opinion pieces, analysis of the issues impacting on the business of firms, broader geographic coverage of events and issues, regular technology reports as well as regular training & education reports.